To Ashley, From Ashville

When I found out I received Ashley, I must admit I laughed a little. The first thing that came to my mind was how the Johnson's use paper plates and plastic utensils for almost every meal (Sorry that I'm making you cringe Ashley). I had absolutely no idea how I was going to find something that was 180 degrees from how we operated. 

Then one day I was trying to teach my boys about the value of money. They do not understand how items compare to the currency that we all work so hard to receive. Cole is so cute with his simple thinking. One day we were out getting groceries and looking at our list comparing it to our budget. Cole interrupts us and says, "You can use my money mommy." There was another time that Cole was wanting something and Brighton said, "I'll buy that for you!" Not one of them knew the value of what they were talking about.
So, thanks to Charise's morning Coke habit, we had a lot of aluminum cans.........BINGO! I explained to the boys, and Savanna (being persistent to be included), about how we should be turning in our cans. They both said, "WHAT?" I taught them how we take our cans into a recycling center and then the cans are taken different places to be used again. Again, with their simple minds, they asked why someone would want to use our cans. After a cute daddy moment, I explained how they melt the metal down and make more cans, jewelry, or anything that is aluminum........(the light bulb goes on)....That is it! I found out what I am going to do for Ashley.
The boys and I, and again Savannah (wanting to help), flattened the cans so that we can take them to be recycled. By the way, when I was younger, I remembered getting paid a whole lot more than we did now.

We were proud of what we did, but it didn't seem fulfilling when we RECEIVED money from our service. So after watching Charise trying to be like Ashley, (i.e. using fresh herbs, organic milk, and reusable grocery bags) I went looking for something that preserved the earth.
I found an organization in Ashville, NC that just started last April that was exactly what I was looking for. It is called Mother Earth Produce and Local Edibles, http://motherearthproduce.com. They bring together local farmers and buyers to market their crops. It is family owned and operated. Most of the farms are ran just by couples. They focus in land erosion through crops and eliminate pesticides by being organically grown. These local products are then brought into the marketplace. This place is PERFECT!
They money that we got for our cans is now handed over to the great efforts of these family farms working together for a common goal. Even though it wasn't a lot, I think the boys realized that it is every one's duty to do their part to preserve what Heavenly Father has given to us. So what started as a lesson of monetary transactions, turned into participation of supporting local businesses and protecting what has been given to us. Thank you Ashley for being that person that always makes me think of how I am living.
I love you, Bill (the drinking roller skater)